Rolfes graduated from Tulane in 2011. Romney said the 25-year-old was a member of his 2012 campaign team.

"Heartbreaking to hear that Thomas Rolfes was killed this weekend while in New Orleans looking for a wedding venue with his sweetheart, a fellow Tulane graduate," Romney said.

Romney called Rolfes a valued member of his presidential campaign. He said Rolfes had a "warm smile and engaging personality."

"His commitment and dedication to our effort made him an invaluable part of the campaign. Ann and I send our love and prayers to his family and fiancee," Romney said.

Rolfes was back in New Orleans with his fiancee looking for a wedding venue. His family said he went out with friends the night before he was killed. His fiancee told WDSU reporter Travers Mackel she did not go out because she felt tired.

New Orleans detectives said he was last seen around 3:30 a.m. Saturday on surveillance video buying two bottles of water at a gas station near where he was killed. The New Orleans Police Department said he was shot in the chest.

Family members said Thomas Rolfes was living in Greenville, South Carolina, where he was the project manager for a construction management firm. He's originally from St. Louis, Missouri, and has three younger siblings.

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